Dispatcher (workflow)
A workflow that receives an event and routes it to the appropriate specialist workflow for processing. Like a switchboard operator the dispatcher decides whether this event goes to the billing workflow, the CRM workflow, or the support workflow.
Expert insight
A dispatcher that routes work to different handlers based on type needs a defined behavior for the type it doesn't recognize, a dispatcher with no default case either drops unrecognized work silently or crashes the whole routing step, both of which are worse than an explicit "unhandled type" path that at least surfaces the gap.
In a real workflow
A dispatcher workflow receives every webhook and sends it to the right handler by event type.
Common mistakes
- A dispatcher that grows into a monolith.
- Unknown events dropped silently.
Complexity level
Requires some familiarity with automation concepts.
Related terms
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